From the secretive tree frogs that cling to foliage high above the ground to the charismatic American toads that serenade us with their familiar calls, the continent is home to an impressive variety of species. Join us as we dive into the lives, habitats, and unique characteristics of North American frogs and toads.
With so many different species of frogs and toads throughout North America, this list, with photos will help you identify any that you see.
African Clawed Frog
The African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) is a fully aquatic amphibian known for its unique claw-like toes on its hind feet, and it lacks a tongue.
Joe Decruyenaere – Flickr: IMG_9015 CC BY-SA 2.0
Amargosa Toad
The Amargosa Toad (Anaxyrus nelsoni) is a rare and endangered species of toad found in a limited range in the Amargosa Desert of California and Nevada, USA.
American Bullfrog
The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is a large and widely distributed frog species in North America known for its deep calls and powerful hind legs.
American Green Tree Frog
The American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) is a common arboreal frog found in the southeastern United States, known for its bright green coloration and distinct vocalizations.
American Toad
The American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is a widespread toad species found throughout much of North America, recognized by its dry, warty skin and prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes.
Antilles Coqui
The Antilles Coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a small tree frog native to the Caribbean region, especially Puerto Rico, where its distinctive “ko-kee” call is a familiar sound.
Bird-Voiced Tree Frog
The Bird-Voiced Tree Frog (Hyla avivoca) is a small tree frog found in the southeastern United States, known for its bird-like calls.
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) is a small frog species found in the central United States, known for its cricket-like calls.
Boreal Chorus Frog
The Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata) is a small tree frog species found in the northern regions of North America, often heard making a “ribbit” call in wetland areas.
Brimley’s Chorus Frog
Brimley’s Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brimleyi) is a small frog species found in the southeastern United States, known for its distinctive call during the breeding season.
Carpenter Frog
The Carpenter Frog (Lithobates virgatipes) is a medium-sized frog species found in the eastern United States, known for its call that resembles the sound of a hammer hitting a nail.
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) is a small tree frog species found in eastern North America, closely related to the Eastern Gray Treefrog.
Coquí
The Coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a small tree frog species native to Puerto Rico, known for its distinctive and loud “co-kee” call that is a hallmark sound of the island.
Couch’s Spadefoot
Couch’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) is a medium-sized toad species found in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its unique spade-like protrusion on its hind feet.
Crawfish Frog
The Crawfish Frog (Lithobates areolatus) is a large, terrestrial frog species found in the central United States, often inhabiting prairies and grasslands.
Cricket Frog
The Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) is a small frog species found in various regions of North America, known for its call that sounds like the chirping of crickets.
Cuban Tree Frog
The Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is an invasive species in parts of North America, including Florida, known for its large size and nocturnal habits.
Florida Bog Frog
The Florida Bog Frog (Rana okaloosae) is a small frog species found in Florida, USA, typically inhabiting wetland areas such as bogs.
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog
The Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii) is a medium-sized frog species found in western North America, known for its bright yellow thighs.
Fowler’s Toad
Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) is a medium-sized toad species found in the eastern United States, known for its distinctive call and prominent cranial crests.
Gopher Frog
The Gopher Frog (Lithobates capito) is a medium-sized frog species found in the southeastern United States, often living in sandy, upland habitats.
Gray Tree Frog
The Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor) is a small tree frog species found in eastern North America, known for its ability to change color from gray to green.
Green Frog
Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog
The Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) is a small, brightly colored frog species found in Central and South America, known for its toxic skin secretions.
Greenhouse Frog
The Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) is a small frog species native to the Caribbean and has become invasive in several parts of the world, including Hawaii and Florida.
Houston Toad
The Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis) is a small toad species found in Texas, USA, and is considered endangered due to habitat loss and other threats.
Illinois Chorus Frog
The Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris streckeri) is a small tree frog species found in the central United States, primarily in Illinois.
Japanese Wrinkled Frog
The Japanese Wrinkled Frog (Glandirana rugosa) is a frog species found in Japan, known for its distinctive wrinkled skin.
Little Grass Frog
The Little Grass Frog (Pseudacris ocularis) is a small tree frog species found in the southeastern United States, known for its high-pitched calls and preference for grassy habitats.
Lowland Burrowing Tree Frog
The Lowland Burrowing Tree Frog (Smilisca fodiens) is a frog species found in Central America and southern Mexico, known for its burrowing behavior.
Lowland Leopard Frog
The Lowland Leopard Frog (Lithobates yavapaiensis) is a frog species found in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, often inhabiting lowland habitats.
Mesoamerican Cane Toad
The Mesoamerican Cane Toad (Rhinella horribilis) is a large toad species found in Central America, known for its aggressive nature and cane-toad toxin.
Mexican Spadefoot
The Mexican Spadefoot (Spea multiplicata) is a toad species found in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States, recognized for its spade-shaped digging appendages.
Mexican Tree Frog
The Mexican Tree Frog (Smilisca baudinii) is a large tree frog species found in Mexico and parts of Central America, often seen in trees near water bodies.
Mexican White-Lipped Frog
The Mexican White-Lipped Frog (Leptodactylus fragilis) is a frog species found in Mexico, particularly in tropical rainforests.
Mid-Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
The Mid-Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog (Lithobates kauffeldi) is a frog species found in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
Mink Frog
The Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis) is a frog species found in parts of northeastern North America, known for its distinctive call and mink-like odor.
Mississippi Gopher Frog or Dusky Gopher Frog
The Mississippi Gopher Frog (Lithobates sevosus) is a rare frog species found in the southeastern United States, particularly in Mississippi and parts of Alabama and Louisiana. It is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and other threats.
Montserrat Whistling Frog
The Montserrat Whistling Frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei) is a frog species found on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, known for its distinctive whistling calls.
Mountain Chorus Frog
The Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona) is a small tree frog species found in the southeastern United States, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains.
New Jersey Chorus Frog
The New Jersey Chorus Frog (Pseudacris kalmi) is a small tree frog species found in the northeastern United States, particularly in New Jersey.
Northern Leopard Frog
The Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) is a frog species found in North America, recognized for its spotted pattern and distinctive calls.
Northern Red-Legged Frog
The Northern Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora) is a frog species found in western North America, known for its bright red markings on its legs.
Oak Toad
The Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus) is a small toad species found in the southeastern United States, often inhabiting oak-dominated habitats.
Oregon Spotted Frog
The Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa) is a frog species found in parts of western North America, known for its distinct spotted pattern.
Ornate Chorus Frog
The Ornate Chorus Frog (Pseudacris ornata) is a small tree frog species found in the southeastern United States, known for its intricate dorsal pattern.
Pacific Tree Frog
The Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla) is a small tree frog species found in western North America, known for its variable coloration and call that sounds like a “ribbit.”
Pickerel Frog
The Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris) is a frog species found in eastern North America, known for its distinctive rectangular spots and call resembling the sound of a finger being dragged across a comb.
Pig Frog
The Pig Frog (Lithobates grylio) is a large frog species found in the southeastern United States, often inhabiting swampy habitats and making pig-like grunting sounds.
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
The Pine Barrens Tree Frog (Hyla andersonii) is a small tree frog species found in the coastal plain of the eastern United States, particularly in the Pine Barrens region of New Jersey.
Pine Woods Tree Frog
The Pine Woods Tree Frog (Hyla femoralis) is a tree frog species found in the southeastern United States, particularly in pine forests and wetlands.
Plains Leopard Frog
The Plains Leopard Frog (Lithobates blairi) is a frog species found in parts of the central United States, recognized for its leopard-like spots and call.
Plains Spadefoot
The Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons) is a medium-sized toad species found in the central and southwestern United States, known for its spade-shaped digging appendages and rapid breeding during rainy periods.
Railroad Valley Toad
The Railroad Valley Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) is a toad species found in the southwestern United States, particularly in Nevada.
Red-Spotted Toad
The Red-Spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) is a small toad species found in southwestern North America, known for its red spots and desert habitat preference.
Relict Leopard Frog
The Relict Leopard Frog (Lithobates onca) is a frog species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its relictual status in isolated desert springs.
Rio Grande Chirping Frog
The Rio Grande Chirping Frog (Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides) is a frog species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, recognized for its unique chirping calls.
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
The Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri) is a frog species found in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, particularly near water bodies.
River Frog
The River Frog (Lithobates heckscheri) is a frog species found in the southeastern United States, often inhabiting riverine habitats.
Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog
The Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog (Ascaphus montanus) is a small frog species found in western North America, known for its unique breeding behavior and specialized physiology.
Sheep Frog
The Sheep Frog (Hypopachus variolosus) is a frog species found in Mexico and Central America, known for its granular skin texture.
Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog
The Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana sierrae) is a frog species found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, USA.
Sierran Tree Frog
The Sierran Tree Frog (Pseudacris sierra) is a small tree frog species found in California and Oregon, USA, particularly in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Sinaloan Narrow-Mouthed Toad
The Sinaloan Narrow-Mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) is a small toad species found in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States.
Sonoran Green Toad
The Sonoran Green Toad (Anaxyrus retiformis) is a toad species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its bright green coloration.
South American Cane Toad
The South American Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) is a large toad species native to South America, but introduced to several regions worldwide.
Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog
The Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa) is a frog species found in the southwestern United States, particularly in high-elevation mountain streams and lakes.
Southern Toad
The Southern Toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) is a toad species found in the southeastern United States, recognized for its warty skin and distinctive call.
Spotted Chorus Frog
The Spotted Chorus Frog (Pseudacris clarkii) is a small tree frog species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, recognized for its spotted markings.
Spring Peeper
The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small tree frog species found in eastern North America, known for its high-pitched peeping calls during the breeding season.
Squirrel Tree Frog
The Squirrel Tree Frog (Hyla squirella) is a small tree frog species found in the southeastern United States, known for its ability to glide between trees.
Strecker’s Chorus Frog
The Strecker’s Chorus Frog (Pseudacris streckeri) is a small tree frog species found in the southwestern United States, recognized for its musical calls.
Tarahumara Frog
The Tarahumara Frog (Rana tarahumarae) is a frog species found in Mexico, particularly in the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Texas Toad
The Texas Toad (Anaxyrus speciosus) is a toad species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, recognized for its large size and distinctive call.
Upland Chorus Frog
The Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum) is a small tree frog species found in eastern North America, known for its distinct and loud chorus-like call during the breeding season. It is adaptable and can be found in various terrestrial habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.
Western Chorus Frog
The Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) is a small tree frog species found in North America, known for its distinctive and melodic chorus-like call.
Western Clawed Frog
The Western Clawed Frog (Xenopus tropicalis) is an aquatic frog species found in parts of Africa, but it has been introduced to various regions worldwide for research purposes.
Western Narrow-Mouthed Toad
The Western Narrow-Mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) is a small toad species found in the western United States and Mexico, known for its slender body and unobtrusive habits.
Western Spadefoot
The Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii) is a burrowing toad species found in the western United States and parts of Mexico, known for its unique, keratinized spades on its hind feet for digging.
Western Toad
The Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) is a toad species found in western North America, ranging from Canada to Mexico, recognized for its distinctive large parotoid glands behind its eyes.
Wood Frog
The Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) is a frog species found in North America, known for its ability to tolerate freezing temperatures and survive in cold climates.
Woodhouse’s Toad
The Woodhouse’s Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) is a toad species found in North America, particularly in the western United States and parts of Mexico.
Wyoming Toad
The Wyoming Toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is a critically endangered toad species found in the United States, specifically in Wyoming, where it is the focus of intensive conservation efforts.